# NTSB ANC22LA024: Cessna 172N, N6332D, Talkeetna, AK, March 20, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 19, 2022, 19:35 local (Mar 20, 2022, 03:35 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.315222, -150.09988 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.3152&lon=-150.0999&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 104803 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC22LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104803/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104803 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA024 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper positioning of the fuel selector during takeoff, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot - [Knowledge: knowledge of procedures](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after takeoff when the airplane was about 150 to 200 ft above ground level, the engine lost all power. The pilot made a forced landing in a snow covered field, during which the airplane nosed over, causing substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was in the left fuel tank position. The left fuel tank contained about 3 gallons of fuel, 1.5 gallons of which was usable. The Cessna Pilot’s Operating Handbook required the fuel selector handle to be in the “both” position for takeoffs and landings. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the engine. Given the fuel selector position, which was not consistent with takeoff procedures, and the limited fuel in the left tank, it is likely that the fuel in the left tank unported or had depleted to a level that resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 2022, about 1935 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N6332D, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Talkeetna, Alaska. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the airplane had 20 gallons of fuel onboard before takeoff. The pilot reported that, after takeoff, when the airplane was about 150 to 200 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. The pilot made an emergency landing to a snow-covered field. Upon touchdown, the nosewheel separated and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was in the left fuel tank position. The pilot reported that the airplane had 20 gallons of fuel onboard. About 3 gallons of fuel were drained from the left tank, and 13 gallons were drained from the right fuel tank. Each tank had an unusable fuel quantity of 1.5 gallons. The Cessna Pilot’s Operating Handbook required the fuel selector handle to be in the “both” position for takeoffs and landings. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the engine. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6332D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6332D), registered now, S/N 17272720, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272720 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 14722.8 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Blue River Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 8, 2022, 91.5 hours before - Destination: PAQ, Palmer, AK - Airport: TKA, Talkeetna, runway 190, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 7, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,700 total, 250 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.43 inHg - Observed at: PATK - METAR: PATK 191553Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM FEW048 OVC065 M01/M06 A2943 RMK AO2 SLP971 T10111061 TSNO ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20220319003969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220319003969A), Mar 19, 2022: Cessna 172N, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot of N6332D departed tka on March 19th 2022. The pilot departed runway 19 and stated that at approximately 150-200 feet the engine lost power. The… ## Other investigations on N6332D (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC93LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA059), May 1, 1993: Cessna 172 (N6332D), Kasigluk, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF FROM A NARROW, WET, SOFT GRAVEL RUNWAY WITH A CROSSWIND. THE RUNWAY CONDITIONS AND THE CROSSWIND WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104803. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13880548&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Adobe%20Scan%20Mar%2029,%202022%201_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13880242&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ANC22LA024-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.